Electronic tracking device and charging apparatus

ABSTRACT

Managing multiple devices, such as tracking beacons, is challenging, especially as the number of beacons increases. A beacon and a charging station are provided for managing the settings of the beacons. The beacon includes a display with a graphical user interface (GUI) for updating settings. The charging station includes charging ports and a display with a GUI for updating beacon settings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/095,311 filed on Nov. 11, 2020 and titled “ElectronicTracking Device and Charging Apparatus”, which claims priority to UnitedStates Patent Application No. 62/934,215 filed on Nov. 12, 2019 andtitled “Electronic Tracking Device And Charging Apparatus”, the entirecontents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The following generally relates to an electronic tracking device andcharging apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Tracking objects in a physical space can be difficult, as people andthings move freely and sometimes unexpectedly. Electronic trackingdevices can be put on people and things. These tracking devices requirean apparatus to provide an electrical charge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only with referenceto the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a tracking system that tracks theposition of electronic tracking devices, herein called beacons.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a beacon according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a beacon connected to an externaldevice for increasing the number of connected light sources controlledby the beacon, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of a beacon according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the beacon shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a rear perspective view of the beacon shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is an example embodiment of a graphical user interface (GUI)showing a home screen on the beacon.

FIG. 4B is an example embodiment of a GUI showing a menu screen.

FIG. 4C is an example embodiment of a GUI showing a status screen.

FIG. 4D is an example embodiment of a GUI showing a configurationscreen.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a charging station according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of a charging station according toan example embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a top-down view of the charging station shown in FIG. 6A, andincluding an example embodiment of a GUI.

FIG. 6C is a top-down view of the charging station showing a GUI thatincludes settings for a given beacon.

FIG. 6D is a top-down view of the charging station showing a GUI thatincludes a touch-screen gesture to switch beacon IDs.

FIG. 6E is a top-down view of the GUI after the touch-screen gesture inFIG. 6D.

FIG. 7 are executable instructions by the charging station fordisplaying data and updating the beacon ID or beacon settings, or both,according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated amongthe figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein.However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat the example embodiments described herein may be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not toobscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, the descriptionis not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 1 shows a tracking system 100 that tracks the position and movementof one or more tracking beacons 120 a, 120 b (also herein calledbeacons) and their respectively connected light sources 121 a, 121 b,121 c, 121 d, 121 e. These light sources are more generally referencedwith reference numeral 121. A person 105 has on their body a beacon 120a and several light sources 121 a, 121 b are connected to the beacon 120a via wires. Another person 106 has on their body a beacon 120 b andseveral light sources 121 c, 121 d, and 121 e are connected to thebeacon 120 b via wires.

It will be appreciated that one beacon can be attached to one or morelight sources.

The beacon controls the blinking pattern of each light emitting trackingdevice. The beacon includes, for example, a controller that controls oneor more blinking patterns and a power source (e.g. a battery) to powerthe lights in the light emitting tracking device. The beacon, forexample, also includes a wireless transceiver to wirelessly transmit andreceive data.

In an example aspect the light source 121 emits light that is detectedby one or more optical sensors 102 a, 102 b, 102 c (e.g. cameras).Preferably, there are two or more optical sensors to track a lightsource in multiple dimensions (e.g. X, Y, Z dimensions). For example,the optical sensors 102 a, 102 b, 102 c are positioned overhead andcapture images of the light emitted from a given light source 120. Theoptical sensors transmit the captured video data and time codeinformation via a data network 101. A tracking server 103, which is alsoconnected to the data network 101, receives the captured video data fromthe optical sensors then processes the images using image recognition toidentify the position of the light sources in the images. The positioninformation from the different optical sensors are then compared (e.g.using triangulation) by the tracking server 103 to determine thelocation of a given beacon in three-dimensional space.

In an example aspect, the light sources emit infrared light and theoptical sensors 102 a, 102 b, 102 c detect the infrared light. In otherwords, the optical sensors are infrared cameras. In an alternativeembodiment, a light in a different range of the light spectrum isemitted and is detected by the optical sensors 102 a, 102 b, 102 c.

In an example aspect, a light source is an infrared light emitting diode(LED). The infrared light is not visible to people's eyes, but can bedetected by the optical sensors.

In an example embodiment, each of the light sources 121 a, 121 b, 121 c,121 d, 121 e emit light at a different blinking pattern or blinkingfrequency. The blinking pattern or the blinking frequency represents anidentifier (ID) that is specific to each light source, and is mapped toa specific beacon. In other words, the light source 121 a has a first IDand accordingly blinks according to a first blinking pattern or blinkingfrequency that is associated with the first ID, and the light source 121b has a second ID and accordingly blinks according to a second blinkingpattern or blinking frequency that is associated with the second ID.These blinking patterns or blinking frequencies are controlled by thebeacon 120 a to which the light emitting tracking device is connected.

In other words, over a series of images, the tracking server 103 candetect the blinking pattern of a given light source to identify itsassociated ID. In this way, the tracking server can track the positionand movement of multiple light sources simultaneously.

Furthermore, the beacon 120 a also includes an inertial measurement unit(IMU) and other sensors that measure the relative position andorientation of the beacon 120 a. This inertial information is sent tothe tracking server 103, and this inertial information combined with theoptical positioning information provides a robust and accurate trackingsystem for position or orientation, or both. It will be appreciated thatdifferent computations can be used to merge the sensor data from the IMUof the beacon and the sensor data from the optical sensors.

In an example embodiment, the data network 101 is a network switch. In afurther example embodiment, the data network 101 is an Ethernet network.

In an example aspect, a time keeper device 104 is connected to the datanetwork 101 to synchronize other devices that are connected to the datanetwork, such as the optical sensors 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, the trackingserver 103 and one or more charging stations 110 a, 110 n, 110 o, 110 p.Other devices in the system 100 may have their own time keeping devices.

One or more charging stations 110 a, 110 n, 110 o, 110 p have chargeports that hold beacons 120 c, 120 d, 120 e and more for providingelectrical charging as well as beacon setting management.

In an example embodiment, a given charging station 110 n is connected tothe data network 101 via wired connection, and one or more othercharging stations 110 o and 110 p are connected to the given chargingstation 110 n in a daisy chain manner. For example, the charging station110 o is connected via a wire to the charging station 110 n, and thecharging station 110 p is connected via a wire to the charging station110 o. In this way, these daisy chained charging stations 110 o and 110p are also in data communication with the data network 101.

In an example embodiment, data from the beacons 120 a, 120 b, etc. aretransmitted to the one or more charging stations 110 a, 110 n, etc. sothat current data from the beacons can be displayed by one or more ofthe charging stations. For example, battery data about a given beacon iswirelessly transmitted to a given charging station, and a display deviceon the charging station displays this battery data.

In another example embodiment, data from a given charging station istransmitted to one or more beacons. This data can be used to affect theoperation of the beacon (e.g. modify blinking settings for the lightsource, display a message, display an indicator, change a sensor mode,etc.). For example, a charging station wirelessly transmits data to abeacon and, after receiving this data, the beacon is triggered todisplay a message or an indicator to return the beacon to the chargingstation. In another example, a charging station wirelessly transmitsdata to a beacon and, after receiving this data, the beacon is triggeredto activate a blinking light source at a higher brightness level or alower brightness level.

More generally, according to an example embodiment, data is communicatedbetween one or more beacons and one or more charging stations over thedata network 101.

In an example embodiment, the system of devices and components shown inFIG. 1 can be provided as one or more kits of parts. For example, a kitincludes the tracking beacons, the infrared light sources and one ormore of the charging stations. The number of tracking beacons, thenumber of infrared light sources and the number of charging stations areselected for the application (e.g. the number of people or objects to betracked).

FIG. 2A shows example components of a beacon 120. It includes one ormore ports 215 a, 215 b, 251 c that each connect to a wire with a lightsource (e.g. LED). For example, the light source 121 s is controlled bythe signal from the port 215 c and the light source 121 r is controlledby the signal from the port 215 b. The signal provided to each port 215a, 215 b, 215 c is individually controlled by an onboard processor 203.For example, the signal is a blinking or flashing pattern. The beaconalso includes a display screen 201, a time keeper 202, memory 204, oneor more buttons 205, one or more sensors 206, a battery 211 and acommunication module 212. The sensors 206 include one or more sensors,and examples of sensors include an accelerometer 207, a gyroscope 209, amagnetometer 208 and a barometer 210. For example, the accelerometer,the gyroscope and the magnetometer are integrated into a 9-way IMU. Itwill be appreciated that different types of sensors can be used in thebeacon. The communication module 212 includes one or more wiredcommunication subsystems 213 (e.g. a universal serial bus (USB)connector or some other type of currently-known or future-known physicalconnector) and one or more wireless communication subsystems 214 (e.g.WiFi, Bluetooth, or some other type of currently-known or future-knownwireless communication). An example format of a USB connector is theUSB-C connector.

In an example embodiment, the display screen 201 is an electronic paperdisplay (EPD), which uses electronic ink to display images or text, orboth. This type of display consumes very little energy. For example,little or no electrical energy is used to hold a static image or text onthe display screen. It will be appreciated that other types of currentlyknown and future known display screens can be incorporated into thebeacon.

The data from the sensors is transmitted from the beacon to the trackingserver 103 using the wireless communication subsystem, and the trackingserver 103 uses this information to compute the position or orientation,or both, of the beacon. Information about the battery use, includingremaining charge information (e.g. as a percentage or as time remaining,or both), is also transmitted using the wireless communication subsystemto one or more charging stations 110, so that the one or more chargingstations can display remaining battery charge information for the givenbeacon.

The beacon ID or other settings, or both, can be configured on thebeacon itself using the display screen and one or more buttons, and thisinformation is also transmitted to the tracking server 103 or to the oneor more charging stations 110, or to both.

The beacon also detects when a working light source is connected to agiven port 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, etc., and this information is displayedon the display screen 201. In this way, a user can visually discern if alight source connected to a port in the beacon is emitting light or not.It will be appreciated that when using an infrared light source (e.g.infrared LED), a user cannot see whether the light source is working bylooking at the infrared light source. An indicator that is visible tothe user, such as on the display screen 201, informs the user.

In another example embodiment, the visual indicator corresponding toeach activated port (e.g. ports 215 a, 215 b, 215 c, etc.) can also bepositioned as a dedicated light indicator device on the beacon body. Inanother example embodiment, a light indicator device is integrated intothe wire (e.g. positioned on the plug of the wire) of the light source(e.g. the infrared light sources 121 s, 121 r, etc.), and the lightindicator device is activated when the attached given infrared lightsource is activated to pulse by the beacon.

The visual indicator device for indicating that a given port 215 a, 215b, 215 c, etc. is being activated to pulse a light source 121 s, 121 r,etc. can be integrated into the beacon in different ways or integratedinto a corresponding wire in different ways. The visual indicator deviceis also herein referred to as a working indicator.

In another example aspect, the wired communication subsystem 213 allowsthe option for the beacon to connect to an external device 220. Theexternal device 220 connects to the beacon to, for example, do one ormore of the following: provide additional data to the beacon, to providecommands to the beacon, to provide additional power to the beacon, toobtain data from the beacon, to obtain power from the beacon, etc. In anexample aspect, the external device 220 increases the operationalcapacity of the beacon, such as by sensing additional data and providingthe additional data to the beacon. In another example, the externaldevice 220 is an external mobile battery that provides further power tothe beacon. In another example, the external device 220 includes longrange wireless communication systems that increases the distance atwhich the beacon can receive or transmit, or both, data with thetracking server 103.

In another example embodiment, shown in FIG. 2B, the external device220′ includes additional ports 221 a, 221 b, etc. to respectivelyconnect to additional light sources 121 t, 121 u, etc. In other words,the beacon 120 controls more light sources via the external device 220′.The external device 220′, for example, is considered an expansion portdevice. In an example aspect, the external device 220′ further includesindicator devices 222 a, 222 b, etc. that respectively correspond to theadditional ports 221 a, 221 b, etc. For example, when the port 221 a isactivated by the beacon 120 to pulse the light source 121 t, then theindicator device 222 a is activated. The indicator devices 222 a, 222 b,etc. for example emit light in the visual spectrum when activated or,for example, change color when activated, or both.

Also shown in FIG. 2B are indicator devices 225 a, 225 b, 225 c on thebeacon 120 that respectively correspond to the ports 215 a, 215 b, 215c. For example, when the port 215 b is activated by the beacon 120 topulse the light source 121 r, then the indicator device 225 b isactivated. The indicator devices 225 a, 225 b, 225 c emit light in thevisual spectrum when activated or change color when activated, or both.

It will also be appreciated that data from the beacon can be read orwritten, or both, using the wired communication subsystem 213 when thebeacon is physically connected to a charging station.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show different views of an example embodiment of abeacon 120. The housing 301 of the beacon includes two opposite sidesurfaces 301 a, 301 b that have respectively positioned thereon buttons205 a, 205 b. The housing 301 also incudes a bottom surface 301 c and anopposite facing top surface 301 d. The terms “top” and “bottom” arearbitrarily used here as the orientation of the beacon can be changed indifferent scenarios. For example, when the beacon is placed in thecharging station, the surface 301 d faces upwards or away from thecharging station. When using the graphical user interface (GUI) of thedisplay screen, the surface 301 c, for example, faces upwards.

The surface 301 d has positioned thereon the one or more ports 215 a,215 b, 215 c for respectively connecting to the one or more wires withthe light sources. For example, the light source 121 s is connected to awire 304 that connects to a plug 303. The plug 303 is received by areceptacle that is the port 215 c. The plug and receptacle includetogether form a quick-connect and quick-disconnect mechanism. Forexample, this mechanism is a spring-loaded locking and unlockingmechanism. For example, in use, a user pushes the plug to unlock theplug from the receptacle, and pulls the plug in an opposite direction tolock the plug into the receptacle.

The surface 301 c has positioned thereon a physical port 302 thatconnects to the wired communication subsystem 213 and to the battery211. For example, the port 302 is a female connector according to a USBformat. In an example implementation, the port 302 is a female USB-Cconnector. It will be appreciated that alternative types of data portsand power connectors can be used. The surface 301 c also has positionedthereon another button 205 c.

The number of buttons and positions of the buttons can vary from theembodiment shown.

The front surface 301 e of the housing 301 has positioned thereon thedisplay screen 201.

The rear surface 301 f of the housing 301 includes one or more physicalfeatures 303 (e.g. indents or protrusions, or both) that allow for othermechanical devices to be connected to the rear surface 301 f. Forexample, a clip can be connected to the rear surface 301 f. In anotherexample, a mounting pad is connected to the rear surface, so that thebeacon is mountable onto another object.

Turning to FIG. 4A, an example embodiment of a home screen GUI 401 isshown, which include the information: time remaining for battery life402, percentage of battery charge remaining 403, the associated name ofthe beacon 404, the beacon ID 405, and an identification of the portsfor the light sources 406, 406, 408. In this example, theidentifications 406 and 407 are visually highlighted or visually markedto indicate that working light sources 121 s and 121 r are connected tothe first and the second ports for the light sources.

In an example aspect, pressing one of the buttons 205 a, 205 b, 205 cmomentarily illuminates the display. In dark or low-light environments,this helps a user to see the GUIs displayed on the display.

From the home screen, a user can press one of the buttons to navigate tothe menu screen 410 shown in FIG. 4B. The menu has selectable optionsthat include the home screen, a status screen, a configuration screen,and a power screen. The power screen, for example, shows a confirmationscreen to power off the device. In an alternative example, the powerscreen shows information about the power usage of the beacon. The menucan be navigated through using one or more of the buttons.

After the status option is selected, the status screen is displayed. Anexample embodiment of a status screen 420 is shown in FIG. 4C. Itincludes various data about the beacon, such as, for example, radioinformation, brightness of the light source(s), beacon serial number,zones associated with the beacon, preset conditions or protocols, etc.In an example aspect, the status screen displays that radio packets arebeing sent and received, which helps a user confirm that the beacon isworking.

After the configuration option is selected, one or more configurationoptions are provided to change a setting of the beacon, or to change anID of the beacon, or both.

FIG. 4D shows an example embodiment of a configuration screen, whichincludes options for changing from the current beacon ID (e.g. ID 120)to a different beacon ID. This feature helps a user to re-purpose thebeacon for tracking another object or person in a very quick manner(e.g. on the fly during a live show or a live production).

Changes to the beacon ID or changes to one or more other settings of thebeacon, or both, that are made via the GUI on the beacon, aretransmitted to the data network 101 and propagated to a tracking server103 or to one or more charging stations 110 a, 110 n, or to both.

Turning to FIG. 5 , example components of a charging station 110 areshown. The charging station 110 includes a display touch screen 501, atime keeper 502, a processor 503, one or more buttons 504, a powersupply 505, a communication module 506, memory 509 and one or morecharging ports 515 a, 515 b, 515 c, 515 d, etc.

The communication module 506 connects to the data network 101 preferablyusing a wired communication subsystem 507. The wired communicationsubsystem 507 also facilitates daisy chaining of multiple chargingstations. The communication module can include a wireless communicationsubsystem 508 for connection to the data network 101, either inalternative or in addition to the wired communication subsystem. Thememory 509 includes device manager software 510 to monitor, modify andcontrol parameters and settings of the beacons, as well as the chargingstation itself.

Each of the charging ports 515 a, 515 b, etc. include one or moreconnectors that mates with a given beacon to provide power to the givenbeacon as well as to facilitate data communication with the givenbeacon.

Turning to FIG. 6A, an example embodiment of a charging station 110 isshown, which includes a housing 601. The front surface of the housinghas thereon a power button 504 a. The top surface 602 of the housing hasthereon the touch screen display 501 and multiple charging ports 515 a,515 b, 515 c, 515 d, 515 e, 515 f, 515 g, 515 h. In this example, eightcharging ports are shown, but it will be appreciated that the layout andnumber of the charging ports can vary. Each charging port includes anindent or a cavity to hold a given beacon in place. One more air vents615 are also positioned on the housing 601. For example, an air vent ispositioned at or near the bottom of the housing, and another air vent ispositioned at or near the top of the housing.

In FIG. 6A, the beacon 120 a is positioned in the charging port 515 eand the display screen on the beacon 120 a shows the name CaptainAmerica and “ID 120”. The beacon 120 b is positioned in the chargingport 515 a and display screen on the beacon 120 b shows the name BlackWidow and “ID 130”. The beacons are insertable and removable from thecharging ports.

Using the touch screen display 501 and the device manager software,beacon settings can be monitored and changed.

In an example aspect, the touch screen display 501 is a lighted display(e.g. emits light) so that the GUIs presented on the touch screendisplay are visible in dark or low-light environments.

In the top-down view of FIG. 6B, the beacons 120 b and 120 a are showninserted into the charging ports, while the other charging ports areempty. In each charging port is a connector 600 that provides power andtransfers data. The connector 600 connects to the port 302 of a givenbeacon. In an example embodiment, the connector 600 is a male USB-Cconnector and the port 302 is a female USB-C connector. It will beappreciated that other types of connectors can be used.

The general status GUI 604 on the screen 501 displays status informationassociated with each charging port. For example, status information 603a about the charging port 515 a is positioned next to the charging port515 a and it includes the battery status of the associated beacon (e.g.beacon 120 b in the charging port 515 a), the associated name, and thebeacon ID. Similar status information 603 e is shown in relation to thecharging port 515 e for the beacon 120 a.

Status information 603 h is also displayed for a given beacon that isnot currently positioned in the charging port 515 h. In other words, thecharging port 515 h is associated with or assigned to a given beacon(e.g. for Captain Marvel having ID 170). The battery information andother status information is wirelessly transmitted from the CaptainMarvel beacon to the data network 101 and to the charging station, andthis information is used to update the status information 603 h.

In another example aspect, the charging port 515 d is not assigned toany beacon and the status information 603 d shows the same.

When the screen 501 detects a touch input over the status information 60e, more information and settings are shown as per the GUI 605 shown inFIG. 6C.

In particular, the GUI 605 shows detailed settings about the beaconassociated with Captain America. In an example aspect, an indicator 606indicates the position of the associated charging port. These settingscan be modified using the touch screen display 501. Values, optionsbuttons, numbers, and text can be inputted using various graphicalcontrols. The graphical controls can include a virtual touch-screenkeyboard that appears as appropriate (e.g. selecting a text field).

The settings include the beacon name, the product information (e.g. zoneinformation), preset conditions and processes, beacon ID, wirelesschannel, subnet and light source brightness. These settings aremodifiable on the charging station GUI. By modifying one or more ofthese settings in the GUI, these one or more modified settings aretransmitted from the charging station to the beacon, via the chargingport. It will be appreciated that these settings are just for example.Other settings can be used in alternative or in addition. The serialnumber of the beacon is also shown.

Turning to FIG. 6D, an action occurred where the beacon 120 c wasinserted into the charging port 515 d. As a result, charging stationautomatically detects this action and exchanges information with thebeacon 120 c. In particular, the charging station obtains statusinformation from the beacon 120 c and this information is automaticallydisplayed as status information 603 d (e.g. including the batteryinformation, name, and beacon ID) on the screen 501, as per the GUI 604a. In other words, the charging port 515 d was initially not assigned toa beacon, and after the beacon 120 c was inserted, the charging port 515d was automatically assigned to the beacon 120 c.

After the insertion and update of information about the beacon 120 c, inthis example, the beacon 120 c has low power (e.g. 30% battery charge)and is currently assigned to Hulk and has beacon ID 145. For example, anactor for the Hulk however, desires a beacon with full battery chargeimmediately, while an actor for Captain America is okay to use a beaconwith a low battery charge or has time to wait for a battery to charge tofull capacity.

The screen 501 detects a user input that includes a touch, drag, andrelease gesture that starts at the position of the status information603 d (by the charging port 515 d) and ends at the position of thestatus information 603 e (by the charging port 515 e). After detectingthis gesture, the charging station automatically switches the beacon IDand associated settings between the beacons 120 c and 120 a. Thesubsequent GUI 604 b after the gesture is shown in FIG. 6 e.

In particular, in FIG. 6E, the beacon 120 a, which has full batterycharge and is in the charging port 515 e, now is associated with thename Hulk and beacon ID 145. The beacon 120 c, which has 30% batterycharge and is in the charging port 515 d, now is associated with thename Captain America and beacon ID 120.

The actor for the Hulk can now take the beacon 120 a. This allows for avery quick swap of beacons, as well as beacon settings.

It is appreciated that any updates and actions that take place at thecharging station can be propagated throughout the system. For example,updated beacon IDs and settings, where applicable, are transmitted fromthe charging station to one or more of: the tracking server 103; one ormore other charging stations; and the relevant beacon(s).

In an example embodiment, the device manager software on the chargingstation is used to remotely modify a setting of one or more beacons,even if the one or more beacons are not positioned in a charging port onthe charging station.

Turning to FIG. 7 , example executable instructions are provided forcharging station and its interaction with a beacon.

Block 701: The charging station receives user input via the touch screento set a beacon ID, or to modify another beacon setting, in associationwith a given charging port (also referred to as “CP” in FIG. 7 ). Thisuser input, for example, can be updated via the detailed view as shownin FIG. 6 c , or can be a swapping gesture in FIG. 6 d , or some othertype of input.

Block 702: The charging station maps the beacon ID or setting(s), orboth, to the given charging port and displays the beacon settings nextto the given charging port.

Block 703: The charging station determines if a beacon is currentlyinserted into the given charging port. If so, the process continues toblock 704. If not, the process continues to block 706.

Block 704: The charging station transmits a write command from the givencharging port to the beacon with the updated beacon ID or updatedsetting(s), or both.

Block 705: Following block 704, after the beacon in the given chargingport receives the write command, the beacon updates its local memorywith the updated information.

Block 706: Following block 703, the charging station determines if thereis a beacon in the system 100 that currently uses the subject beacon ID.If so, the process continues to block 707. If not, the process continuesto block 709.

Block 707: The charging station obtains the status information about thebeacon with the beacon ID. This status information is obtained from thedata network 101 (e.g. from another charging station, from the beaconitself, from the tracking server, etc.).

Block 708: Following block 707, the charging station displays thebeacon's status information having the beacon ID next to the givencharging port.

Block 709: If there is no beacon that currently is assigned to thebeacon ID (e.g. for a new beacon ID), then the new beacon ID andassociated settings are displayed next to the given charging port. Thecharging station also displays an indicator that the no beacon iscurrently mapped to the new beacon ID and the related settings.

Action 710: Following block 709, a beacon is inserted into the givencharging port.

Following action 710, block 704 and 705 are executed.

Below are general example embodiments.

In an example embodiment, a tracking beacon comprises: an electronicdisplay; a processor; one or more buttons; one or more ports forconnecting to and powering one or more infrared light sources; acommunication module; a battery; and memory that stores thereon a beaconID and a corresponding blinking pattern for the one or more infraredlights, and further storing thereon a GUI that is displayed on theelectronic display. The GUI displays the beacon ID assigned to thetracking beacon.

In an example aspect, the memory stores multiple beacon IDs thatrespectively correspond to multiple blinking patterns for controllingthe one or more infrared lights, and selection and activation of a givenbeacon ID and a corresponding given blinking pattern is navigatedthrough the GUI using the one or more buttons.

In another example aspect, the electronic display is an electronic paperdisplay.

In another example aspect, the GUI comprises one or more workingindicators positioned on the electronic display in relation to the oneor more ports, and wherein a given working indicator indicates if agiven infrared light source is connected to a given port and is emittinginfrared light.

In another example aspect, the GUI includes a graphical control, whichare activated using the one or more buttons, to modify a setting of thetracking beacon.

In another example aspect, the graphical control changes the beacon IDcurrently associated with the tracking beacon to a new beacon ID, whichautomatically modifies the blinking pattern to a new blinking pattern ofthe one or more light infrared light sources.

In another example aspect, after detecting a given one of the one ormore buttons is activated, momentarily illuminating the electronicdisplay.

In another example aspect, the tracking beacon further comprises one ormore working indicators positioned in corresponding relation to the oneor more ports, and, activating a given working indicator correspondingto a given port when the tracking beacon activates a given infraredlight source connected to the given port.

In another example aspect, the tracking beacon further comprises a wiredcommunication port that receives power to charge the battery and datafrom an external device. In another example aspect, via the wiredcommunication port, the tracking beacon receives and stores a new beaconID and a corresponding new blinking pattern for the one or more infraredlight sources.

In another example aspect, the tracking beacon further comprises abarometer, and data from the barometer is transmitted along with abeacon ID using the communication module.

In another example aspect, the tracking beacon further comprises a wiredcommunication port configured to receive power and exchange data; andthe wired communication port is connected to an external device thatcomprises one or more additional infrared light sources that arecontrollable by the tracking beacon via the wired communication port.

In another example embodiment, a system is provided for charging andinteracting with tracking beacons. The system comprises a chargingstation for charging one or more tracking beacons, and the chargingstation comprising a housing, a display, one or more charging ports thatare configured to each receive a tracking beacon. Each of the one ormore tracking beacons comprises a housing, an electronic display, one ormore buttons, one or more ports for connecting to and powering one ormore infrared lights, a processor, a communication module, memory, abattery, and a wired communication port for connecting to a givencharging port of the charging station. A given tracking beacon isconnected to the given charging port of the charging station receivespower from the charging station, and at least one of sends and receivesdata to and from the charging station. The data comprises a beacon IDand a corresponding blinking pattern for the one or more infraredlights.

In an example aspect, the given tracking beacon receives timesynchronization data from the charging station via the wiredcommunication port.

In another example aspect, the charging station comprises multiplecharging ports that are positioned at one or more edges of the display,and the display shows beacon IDs positioned beside and corresponding toeach of the charging ports.

In another example aspect, after the given tracking beacon is removedfrom the given charging port, the given tracking beacon wirelesslytransmits status data to the charging station, and the status data isshown on the display of the charging station.

In another example aspect, after the given tracking beacon is removedfrom the given charging port, the charging station receives an input tochange a setting of the given tracking beacon, the charging stationwirelessly transmits settings data to the given tracking beacon, and thegiven tracking beacon changes the setting using the settings data. Inanother example aspect, the input is user input received via a graphicaluser interface shown by the display of the charging station.

In another example aspect, the beacon ID is stored and displayed on thetracking beacon, and after it is connected to the given charging port,the beacon ID is automatically transmitted to the charging station anddisplayed on the display of the charging station.

In another example embodiment, a charging station for charging trackingbeacons is provided. The charging station comprises: a housing thatcomprises a touch screen display and charging ports that are configuredto each receive a tracking beacon; a processor; a power supply; acommunication module; and memory comprising device manager software, thedevice manager software including a GUI that is displayed on the touchscreen display. The charging station receives user inputs via the GUIconfigured to update one or more settings of a given tracking beacon.

In an example aspect, each of the charging ports are positioned close toany edge of the touch screen display.

In another example aspect, a beacon setting update is made via the GUIin relation to an empty charging port and, after the given trackingbeacon is inserted into the empty charging port, the given trackingbeacon is automatically updated with the beacon setting update.

In another example aspect, the charging station further comprises a timekeeping device, and the charging station transmits time synchronizationdata from the time keeping device via one or more of the charging ports.

In another example aspect, a first beacon ID is displayed beside a firstcharging slot and a second beacon ID is displayed beside a secondcharging slot, and responsive to receiving a touch gesture to switchpositions between the first beacon ID with the second beacon ID, thecharging station updates the touch screen display to show the firstbeacon ID beside the second slot and the second beacon ID beside thefirst slot.

In another example embodiment, a tracking beacon includes: an electronicpaper display; a processor; one or more buttons; one or more ports forconnecting to and powering one more light sources; a communicationmodule; a battery; and memory that comprises a GUI that is displayed onthe electronic paper display, and the GUI is navigated using the one ormore buttons.

In an example aspect, the GUI comprises one or more working indicatorspositioned in relation to the one or more ports, and wherein a givenworking indicator indicates if a given light source is connected to agiven port and is emitting light.

In another example aspect, the GUI includes a graphical control, whichare activated using the one or more buttons, to modify a setting of thebeacon.

In another example embodiment, a tracking beacon includes: a housingthat comprises a display, one or more buttons, and ports for connectingto and powering one more light sources, each of the ports positionedclose to any edge of the display; a processor; a communication module; abattery; and memory that comprises a GUI that is displayed on thedisplay. The GUI is navigated using the one or more buttons, and whereinthe GUI comprises one or more working indicators positioned on thedisplay in relation to positions of the ports. A given working indicatorindicates if a given light source is connected to a given port and isemitting light.

It will be appreciated that any module or component exemplified hereinthat executes instructions may include or otherwise have access tocomputer readable media such as storage media, computer storage media,or data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, forexample, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Computer storage mediamay include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Examples of computer storage media include RAM, EEPROM,flash memory or other memory technology, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich can be used to store the desired information and which can beaccessed by an application, module, or both. Any such computer storagemedia may be part of the servers or computing devices or nodes, oraccessible or connectable thereto. Any application or module hereindescribed may be implemented using computer readable/executableinstructions that may be stored or otherwise held by such computerreadable media.

It will be appreciated that different features of the exampleembodiments of the system, the devices, and the components as describedherein, may be combined with each other in different ways. In otherwords, different devices, modules, operations, functionality andcomponents may be used together according to other example embodiments,although not specifically stated.

It will also be appreciated that the examples and corresponding systemdiagrams used herein are for illustrative purposes only. Differentconfigurations and terminology can be used without departing from theprinciples expressed herein. For instance, components and modules can beadded, deleted, modified, or arranged with differing connections withoutdeparting from these principles.

Although the above has been described with reference to certain specificembodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claimsappended hereto.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for charging and interacting withtracking beacons, comprising: a charging station for charging one ormore tracking beacons, the charging station comprising a housing, adisplay, and one or more charging ports that are configured to eachreceive a tracking beacon; each of the one or more tracking beaconscomprising a housing, an electronic display, one or more buttons, one ormore ports for connecting to and powering one or more infrared lights, aprocessor, a communication module, memory, a battery, and a wiredcommunication port for connecting to a given charging port of thecharging station; and a given tracking beacon connected to the givencharging port of the charging station receives power from the chargingstation, and sends and receives data to and from the charging station,the data comprising a beacon ID; wherein the beacon ID is stored anddisplayed on the given tracking beacon, and after it is connected to thegiven charging port, the beacon ID is automatically transmitted to thecharging station and displayed on the display of the charging station.2. The system of claim 1 wherein the given tracking beacon receives timesynchronization data from the charging station via the wiredcommunication port.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the chargingstation comprises multiple charging ports that are positioned at one ormore edges of the display, and the display shows beacon IDs positionedbeside and corresponding to each of the charging ports.
 4. The system ofclaim 1 wherein, after the given tracking beacon is removed from thegiven charging port, the given tracking beacon wirelessly transmitsstatus data to the charging station, and the status data is shown on thedisplay of the charging station.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein, afterthe given tracking beacon is removed from the given charging port, thecharging station receives an input to change a setting of the giventracking beacon, the charging station transmits settings data that isconfigured to be received by the given tracking beacon, and the giventracking beacon changes the setting using the settings data.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5 wherein the input is user input received via agraphical user interface shown by the display of the charging station.7. The system of claim 1 wherein the display of the charging station isa touch screen display, and the charging station comprises memory thatstores thereon a graphical user interface (GUI) that is displayed on thetouch screen display; and wherein a beacon setting update is made viathe GUI in relation to an empty charging port of the charging stationand, after the given tracking beacon is inserted into the empty chargingport, the given tracking beacon is automatically updated with the beaconsetting update.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the beacon settingupdate comprises an update to one or more of: a beacon name, a beaconID, a wireless channel, a subnet, and a light source brightness of thegiven tracking beacon.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the display ofthe charging station is a touch screen display, and the charging stationcomprises a first charging port and a second charging port that arepositioned beside the touch screen display; wherein a first beacon ID isdisplayed beside the first charging port and a second beacon ID isdisplayed beside the second charging port, and responsive to receiving atouch gesture on the touch screen display to switch positions betweenthe first beacon ID with the second beacon ID, the charging stationupdates the touch screen display to show the first beacon ID beside thesecond slot and the second beacon ID beside the first slot.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein a first beacon is positioned in the firstcharging port and a second beacon is positioned in the second chargingport, and, after the touch gesture has been detected, the chargingstation further updates the first beacon to be associated with thesecond beacon ID and the charging station further updates the secondbeacon to be associated with the first beacon ID.
 11. A charging stationfor charging tracking beacons, the charging station comprising: ahousing that comprises a touch screen display and charging ports thatare configured to each receive a tracking beacon; a processor; a powersupply; a communication module; a memory comprising a device managersoftware, the device manager software including a graphical userinterface (GUI) that is displayed on the touch screen display; andwherein the charging station receives user inputs via the GUI configuredto update one or more settings of a given tracking beacon.
 12. Thecharging station of claim 11 wherein each of the charging ports arepositioned close to any edge of the touch screen display.
 13. Thecharging station of claim 11 wherein a beacon setting update is made viathe GUI in relation to an empty charging port and, after the giventracking beacon is inserted into the empty charging port, the giventracking beacon is automatically updated with the beacon setting update.14. The charging station of claim 13 wherein the beacon setting updatecomprises an update to one or more of: a beacon name, a beacon ID, awireless channel, a subnet, and a light source brightness of the giventracking beacon.
 15. The charging station of claim 11 further connectedto a time keeping device via a data network, and the charging stationtransmits time synchronization data from the time keeping device via oneor more of the charging ports.
 16. The charging station of claim 11wherein a first beacon ID is displayed beside a first charging port anda second beacon ID is displayed beside a second charging port, andresponsive to receiving a touch gesture to switch positions between thefirst beacon ID with the second beacon ID, the charging station updatesthe touch screen display to show the first beacon ID beside the secondport and the second beacon ID beside the first port.
 17. The chargingstation of claim 11 wherein, after the charging station detects that thegiven tracking beacon has been inserted into a given charging port, thecharging station obtains a status information from the given trackingbeacon and automatically displays the status information on the GUI. 18.The charging station of claim 17, wherein the status information isdisplayed beside the given charging port, and the charging stationfurther automatically assigns the given charging port to the giventracking beacon.
 19. The charging station of claim 17 wherein the statusinformation of the given tracking beacon comprises at least one of: abattery information, a name, and a beacon ID.
 20. A system of chargingstations for charging a plurality of tracking beacons, the systemcomprising: a plurality charging stations that are connected togetherand in data communication with each other in a daisy chain data network;each of the plurality of charging stations comprising: a housing thatcomprises a touch screen display and charging ports that are configuredto each receive a tracking beacon; a processor; a power supply; acommunication module; and a memory comprising a device manager software,the device manager software including a graphical user interface (GUI)that is displayed on the touch screen display; and wherein a given oneof the plurality of charging stations is operable to receive a userinput via the GUI to transmit an updated setting of a given trackingbeacon, and the given one of the plurality of charging stationspropagates the updated setting of the given tracking beacon to otherones of the plurality of tracking stations.
 21. A charging station forcharging tracking beacons, the charging station comprising: a housingthat comprises a touch screen display and a plurality of charging portsthat are configured to each receive a tracking beacon; a processor; apower supply; a communication module; a time keeping device, wherein thecharging station transmits time synchronization data from the timekeeping device via one or more of the plurality of charging ports; amemory comprising a device manager software, the device manager softwareincluding a graphical user interface (GUI) that is displayed on thetouch screen display; and wherein, after the charging station detectsthat the given tracking beacon has been inserted into a given chargingport, the charging station obtains a status information from the giventracking beacon and automatically displays the status information on theGUI positioned beside the given charging port; and after the chargingstation receives a user input via the GUI to update one or more settingsof the given tracking beacon, the charging station transmits a writecommand via the given charging port to the given tracking beacon toupdate the one or more settings.
 22. The charging station of claim 20wherein the status information comprises at least one: a batteryinformation, a name, and a beacon ID; and the one or more settingscomprise at least one of: the name, the beacon ID, a wireless channel, asubnet, and a brightness setting of a light of the given trackingbeacon.
 23. A kit of parts for charging and interacting with trackingbeacons, comprising: one or more tracking beacons; a charging stationfor charging the one or more tracking beacons, the charging stationcomprising a housing, a display, and one or more charging ports that areconfigured to each receive a tracking beacon; each of the one or moretracking beacons comprising a housing, an electronic display, one ormore buttons, one or more ports for connecting to and powering one ormore infrared lights, a processor, a communication module, memory, abattery, and a wired communication port for connecting to a givencharging port of the charging station; and a given tracking beaconconnected to the given charging port of the charging station receivespower from the charging station, and sends and receives data to and fromthe charging station, the data comprising a beacon ID; wherein thebeacon ID is stored and displayed on the given tracking beacon, andafter it is connected to the given charging port, the beacon ID isautomatically transmitted to the charging station and displayed on thedisplay of the charging station.